Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-17
POWDERLY.
The General Master Workman Ad-
dresses Large Audience In Bos-
ton for the Sh0emakers' Benefit.
He Cries Out a gainst Rum Drinking-Taken
Suddenly Sick He Stops
abruptly.

BosToN, MASS, June I2.-General
Master Workman PowGerly, General
Secretary Litchmsn and A. A. Carlton OF
the Gener i Executive Board, Knights of
Labor, are in tie city. A mass meeting
with an admission fee Of 25 and 80 cents
for ffe benefit of the I0cked-out shoe
msssss Of Worcester, BrOokfald and
SSsacer was held at Mechanic hall last
seveatng. About $500 persons were
present. Messrs. Carlton and Litchman
addressed the assembly st length on the
state4 of the order and the strike at
Woscfster, urging Boston workmeD not
TO lettheir brothers suffer for the sineWs
of WEE. PoWdeFIy was greeted with &
torrent2Sf ekthusiasm, the audience
rising and giving cheer upon cheer.
He expresses his thanks for the hearty
reception. Referring TO Boston's wei
come to Queen Kspiolani, he said the
CT ty did n INT. 1t also did right N de
Gliding TO welcome him in royal way,
for although individually he counted no
more thar any other, yet as the head Of
an organization that is working TO bring
the country back to her original moor
ings he represents more than any nor
arch on Gods earth. Applause. 7 In
welcoming him Boston welcomes labor
throughout the length and breadth of the
land. Referring to newspaper reports of
discussions in the order, he said that
differences did exist and always would,
so long as men were men, bat that the
order would survive al differences arf
live to accomplish lis object. IA r
dwelling at some length upon tne princi-
pies and work Of the order, he delivered
q powerful phIllipi6 on the evils OF rum,
and oesought Worki1gmen 10 GbandBp
the habit of drinking rum, and declsled
that he wished every member of the
Knights Of Labor was compelled to sign
the pledge as q preliminary to member
ship. He denied the charge that ne had
sought to use the order in the interests of
the Catholic church. He had explained
its principles and workings to
high officials of both The Catholic and
Protestant churches, and if he had been
in any degree instrumental in securing
the good will Of Rome, he thought ne de-
served praise rather than blame. Finally,
he said he desired 20 say once for al, en-
phatically, that he was not q candidate
for reelection 20 the office of General
Master Workman, and under no CirCum-
stances would he accept reelection. lie
had been misrepresented and falsely SC
cused, and he desired privacy and rest.
He would, however, continue 10 work in
the interest of the order even If ne was
obliged to pay for the privilege OF so do
ing.
While speaking, Mr.. Powderly sudden
IL placed his right hand upon mis- left
breast, sud his countenauce assumed an
of intense pain. A deep quiet
prevailed. After a moment ne said he wgs
unable 20 continue his address, and sat
down. A glass Of water was given aim,
and few moments later he again arose
and expressed his regret ct being obliged
to abruptly conclude MS remarks. thank
ed the audience Tor its kind attention
and sympathy and withdrew.
Subsequently many of tina leading
Knights OF Boston paid their respects 20
Mr.. Powderly in q body. 1t was stated
that the General Master Workman is
afflicted with a lung difficulty, which is
liable to compel him to cease speaking at
any time, when addressing q public meet
ing.